The 28-yr-old woman identified as Michelle had lost a lot of blood while giving birth to Ella Marie her daughter, so much that she needed a quick transfusion but based on her faith that forbids all Witnesses from receiving transfusions, she rejected the offer

A Jehovah's Witness mother has died after rejecting blood transfusion during the birth of her daughter.

The 28-yr-old woman identified as Michelle had lost a lot of blood while giving birth to Ella Marie her daughter, so much that she needed a quick transfusion but based on her faith that forbids all Witnesses from receiving transfusions, she rejected the offer.

Meanwhile, other members of Michelle's church have praised for her courage even in the face of death.

Patheos.com reported it like this:

...well while delivering Emma; Michelle lost a lot of blood. So much so that she needed a blood transfusion. Michelle refused. Even after having a tube inserted in her and not being able to speak… She signed NO BLOOD. Our dear sister despite finally having the baby she’s wanted for such a long time, remained loyal to the end.

As a former Witness, it is shocking to think I would once have either tried excusing or endorsing such mindless comments, or even offered similar sentiments myself. If the coercion in Watchtower literature is potent enough to allow a mother to excuse herself from her baby daughter’s life out of misplaced feelings of loyalty, it is certainly strong enough to make an otherwise intelligent person try to rationalize such a senseless loss of precious human life and put a positive spin on it.

I can only hope that little Emma Marie doesn’t grow up to blame herself, or her mother, for what has happened. Blame for this outrage lies squarely on the shoulders of a group of deluded, cloistered men in Brooklyn who have the power to save lives right now by lifting the needless ban on blood, but refuse to.